‘Moonrise Kingdom’ receives rave reviews

In its limited opening in the United States, “Moonrise Kingdom” received praise from many of the nation’s top reviewers. The film was directed by Wes Anderson and filmed entirely in Rhode Island, including Fort Wetherill.

“Moonrise Kingdom” opened this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It offi cially debuted at four New York and Los Angeles theatres, where it took in a record-breaking $669,486. Focus Features – the studio that produced “Moonrise Kingdom” – said that the per-screen number ($167,371) is the best ever for a live-action feature in a regular theatrical run. It topped the $126,317 opening weekend average rung up at three theatres by “Dreamgirls” in 2006.

Critics across the country have lauded “Moonrise Kingdom.” Wall Street Journal said it was “beguiling and endearing,” while the L.A. Times called it “near perfect.” The N.Y. Times said it was a “beautifully coordinated admixture of droll humor, deadpan and slapstick.” Empire Magazine called it “funny, bittersweet and as distinct as you’d expect from Wes Anderson.” The movie currently has a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Moonrise Kingdom” stars Bruce Willis, Bill Murray and Edward Norton. It is set in the 1960s. It is about a young couple who flee their New England island town, prompting a search party that sets out to find them. The film opens nationwide on Thursday, June 21.